India economy, the third largest economy
in the world, in terms of purchasing power, is going to touch new
heights in coming years. As predicted by Goldman Sachs, the Global
Investment Bank, by 2035 India would be the third largest economy of the
world just after US and China. It will grow to 60% of size of the US
economy. This booming economy of today has to pass through many phases
before it can achieve the current milestone India economy, the third
largest economy in the world, in terms of purchasing power, is going to
touch new heights in coming years. As predicted by Goldman Sachs, the
Global Investment Bank, by 2035 India would be the third largest economy
of the world just after US and China. It will grow to 60% of size of
the US economy. This booming economy of today has to pass through many
phases before it can achieve the current milestone of 9% GDP.
The history of Indian economy can be broadly divided into three phases: Pre- Colonial, Colonial and Post Colonial.
Pre Colonial: The
economic history of India since Indus Valley Civilization to 1700 AD can
be categorized under this phase. During Indus Valley Civilization
Indian economy was very well developed. It had very good trade relations
with other parts of world, which is evident from the coins of various
civilizations found at the site of Indus valley.
Before the advent of East India Company, each village in India was a
self sufficient entity. Each village was economically independent as all
the economic needs were fulfilled with in the village.
Then came the phase of Colonization.
The arrival of East India Company in India ruined the Indian economy.
There was a two-way depletion of resources. British used to buy raw
materials from India at cheaper rates and finished goods were sold at
higher than normal price in Indian markets. During this phase India’s
share of world income declined from 22.3% in 1700 AD to 3.8% in 1952.
After India got independence from this
colonial rule in 1947, the process of rebuilding the economy started.
For this various policies and schemes were formulated. First five year
plan for the development of Indian economy came into implementation in
1952. These Five Year Plans, started by Indian government, focused on
the needs of Indian economy.
If on one hand agriculture received the
immediate attention on the other side industrial sector was developed at
a fast pace to provide employment opportunities to the growing
population and to keep pace with the developments in the world. Since
then Indian economy has come a long way. The Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) at factor cost, which was 2.3 % in 1951-52 reached 9% in financial
year 2005-06
Challenges before Indian economy:
- Population explosion: This monster is eating up into the success of India. According to 2001 census of India, population of India in 2001 was 1,028,610,328, growing at a rate of 2.11% approx. Such a vast population puts lots of stress on economic infrastructure of the nation. Thus India has to control its burgeoning population.
- Poverty: As per records of National Planning Commission, 36% of the Indian population was living Below Poverty Line in 1993-94. Though this figure has decreased in recent times but some major steps are needed to be taken to eliminate poverty from India.
- Unemployment: The increasing population is pressing hard on economic resources as well as job opportunities. Indian government has started various schemes such as Jawahar Rozgar Yojna, and Self Employment Scheme for Educated Unemployed Youth (SEEUY). But these are proving to be a drop in an ocean.
- Rural urban divide: It is said that India lies in villages, even today when there is lots of talk going about migration to cities, 70% of the Indian population still lives in villages. There is a very stark difference in pace of rural and urban growth. Unless there isn’t a balanced development Indian economy cannot grow.